Updating a vintage chest of drawers

When it comes to updating a piece of furniture, sometimes the simplest changes can make the biggest impact. In the case of this vintage chest of drawers, all we needed to do was give it a good sanding and refresh the old hardware. The results? A fresh new look that’s perfect for any room in the home. Ready to try it yourself? Read on for tips on how to get started.

First step in updating a vintage chest of drawers – Sanding

Remove all the hardware from your piece, be sure to keep all the screws and any loose pieces if you’re reusing.

I used a belt sander for this job and started with 80 grit sandpaper. This made it really easy to remove the old finish. I did change the sand paper several times during the process of doing the whole cabinet.

Once I removed the old finish I repeated the process with 180 grit paper and finally with 240 grit. This gave me a beautiful smooth finish. When dealing with old furniture there are often surprises revealed when you see the timber underneath. In this case there was a big stain in one corner of the top that was not able to be removed and a repair that was made in the trim around the base of the cabinet. I’m happy with these surprises because it gives the piece some character.

Restoring the Hardware

I usually like to leave the hardware as original as possible so I don’t normally do anything but clean them up. This time however there were little areas of rust and the handles were very dark. To tackle this task I reached for Bar Keepers Friend.

I wet the handles first and then sprinkled the Bar Keepers Friend on and let it sit for a few minutes. A wet toothbrush was used to get into all the nooks and crannies. I then took a wet cloth to scrub the handle. I also gave the screws a quick clean up in the same way. The results were amazing. They came up so beautiful and shiny and suited the new timber colour perfectly.

The Finished product

This piece feels fresh and bright and will be perfect for the small makeover I’m doing. I’ll show you the full room makeover soon.

How is this for a comparison. I just love the bare look of the raw timber but if you were going to be using this piece in a way that it could get wet you should seal it with a clear wax.

Check out the makeover I did on a cupboard for our dining room.

Updating old furniture is a great way to inject some new life into your home without spending a lot of money. By following these simple tips, you can give any piece a fresh new look in just a few hours. So what are you waiting for? Get started on your next furniture makeover today!